Systems and methods for computerized interactive training

Abstract

Interactive electronic training systems and methods are described herein. Certain embodiments provide preprogrammed video, audio, and/or textual presentations of training materials which provide information related to skills/information to be trained. A scenario including real or animated actors is presented, simulating an interaction. The training system presents related queries for the trainee who audibly responds. The training system stores a score based in part on a comparison of the trainee's response with an answer stored in training system memory. Optionally, the scores are substantially immediately presented by the system to the trainee.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of computerized training using an interactive computerized training system, comprising:
 providing over a network by an application server for display a terminal of a content designer an avatar user interface configured to enable the content designer to at least:
 select an avatar from a library of avatars; 
 assign a role in a presentation to a selected avatar; 
 assign a voice to a selected avatar; 
 
 receiving at the application server over the network from the content designer terminal at least a selection of first avatar from the library of avatars, and role assignment, a first voice assignment for a first presentation, and a second voice assignment for a second presentation; 
 presenting via a user terminal to a user the first presentation of the first avatar speaking using the received first voice assignment, in the assigned role, using a first script, wherein the first avatar is animated and lips of the first avatar are synchronized with vocalization, using the first assigned voice, of the first script; 
 presenting via the user terminal to the user the second presentation of the first avatar speaking using the received second voice assignment, in the assigned role, using the first script, wherein the first avatar is animated and lips of the first avatar are synchronized with vocalization, using the second assigned voice, of the first script so that the user can evaluate the effect of voice on a listener. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first voice assignment is of a voice having a first style and the second voice assignment is of a voice having a second style. 
     
     
       3. The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first voice assignment is of a voice having a quicker speaking style than the voice of the second voice assignment. 
     
     
       4. The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the appearance of the first avatar is the same in the first presentation and the second presentation. 
     
     
       5. The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the appearance of the first avatar in the first presentation differs from the appearance of the first avatar in the second presentation. 
     
     
       6. The method as defined in  claim 1 , the method further comprising querying the user via the user terminal to identify correct and incorrect speaking style technique implementations in the first and/or second presentations. 
     
     
       7. The method as defined in  claim 1 , the method further comprising storing a user's response to a query regarding whether the first avatar was more effective in the first presentation or the second presentation. 
     
     
       8. A system comprising:
 a computing device; 
 a network interface; 
 non-transitory memory that stores instructions that when executing by the computing device are configured to cause the system to perform operations comprising:
 provide, over a network using the network interface, for display a terminal of a first user an avatar user interface configured to enable the user to at least:
 select an avatar from a library of avatars; 
 assign a role in a presentation to a selected avatar; 
 assign a voice to a selected avatar; 
 
 receive, using the network interface from the first user terminal at least a selection of first avatar from the library of avatars, and role assignment, a first voice assignment for a first presentation, and a second voice assignment for a second presentation; 
 cause to be presented on a terminal of a second user the first presentation of the first avatar speaking using the received first voice assignment, in the assigned role, using a first script, wherein the first avatar is animated and lips of the first avatar are synchronized with vocalization, using the first assigned voice, of the first script;
 cause to be presented on a terminal of a second user the second presentation of the first avatar speaking using the received second voice assignment, in the assigned role, using the first script, wherein the first avatar is animated and lips of the first avatar are synchronized with vocalization, using the second assigned voice, of the first script so that the user can evaluate the effect of voice on a listener. 
 
 
 
     
     
       9. The system as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the first voice assignment is of a voice having a first style and the second voice assignment is of a voice having a second style. 
     
     
       10. The system as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the first voice assignment is of a voice having a quicker speaking style than the voice of the second voice assignment. 
     
     
       11. The system as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the appearance of the first avatar is the same in the first presentation and the second presentation. 
     
     
       12. The system as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the appearance of the first avatar in the first presentation differs from the appearance of the first avatar in the second presentation. 
     
     
       13. The system as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the system is further configured to cause a query to be presented to the second user via the second user terminal to identify correct and incorrect speaking style technique implementations in the first and/or second presentations. 
     
     
       14. The system as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the system is further configured to receive over a network via the network interface a user's response to a query regarding whether the first avatar was more effective in the first presentation or the second presentation.